Stochastic resonance training at work reduces musculoskeletal pain in nurses.

This randomized controlled trial (RCT) reports effects of a preventive intervention at worksite, namely stochastic resonance whole-body vibration (SR-WBV) training on musculoskeletal pain (MSP). SR-WBV is a form of wholebody vibration training with randomized low frequency vibration. The force-time behavior of the vibrations is not foreseeable and the body will be constantly challenged to adapt the muscle reactions. The experimental group (EG) performed an eight-week of SR-WBV. The control group (CG) received no intervention. The RCT was conducted in a large Swiss hospital. The 180 participants were between 18 and 63 years old (M = 43; SD = 11). The majority were female (88%) and were nurses (45%). MSP was measured daily in a diary. Participation possibilities and general health were assessed by self-report questionnaires before the RCT started. A longitudinal multilevel analysis showed a significant interaction of SR-WBV by time showed MSP to decline in the EG. Moreover, SWBV-training reduced pain to the largest extent in those with lowest participation possibilities and those who reported only moderate general health. Thus, SR-WBV was most effective in those reporting risk factors for musculoskeletal pain. SR-WBV may help to reduce the high prevalence of occupational musculoskeletal pain in hospital staff.

Keywords: Worksite Intervention, Back Pain, Participation at Work, General Health,